Welfare Warfare
Plymouth's Welfare Rights Unit saves Plymouth City Council tens of thousands of pounds a year by ensuring claimants receive their entitlements from Government Benefits. The WRU helps those in need. Little surprise then, that Plymouth Councillors have been trying to close the Unit for over a year now. Politically, they don't like welfare.

Campaign
Campaigners for the Unit and to Defend Welfare Rights in Plymouth have raised public understanding about the role of the Unit and the important work it does. Now it is likely that the Unit will once again receive funding from April. It pays to campaign!

Here's Help!
Plymouth UNISON Welfare Officer, Anne Freeman, represents the trade union at the Unit and says it provides vital help and support for people on Benefits.
"You never know when it may be your turn to need financial help. Its good to know the help's there," she says.

Plymouth UNISON offers welfare support to all our members. Phone 227687 in confidence.

The "consumer boom" of the last few years has been party fuelled by the rapid rise of house prices, encouraging people to borow against the value of "their" home.people have been borrowing record amounts, of up to £4,000,000,000 a month. Relatively low interest rates have also encouraged people to borrow or "fill up" their credit cards. Many commentators now fear the house price boom could bust, just as it did in the late 1980's. Any slump could tip the whole economy into wider recession, throwing people out of work and sending the economy into a downward spiral.

Time to Address your Debts:
 many people in debt become too afraid to open their letters and get help. Follow these tips to keep the bailiffs away from your door:
1. Recognise when you are gettingInto trouble ' It is too late when your non-mortgage debts exceed your annual net income.
2. Budget by listing monthly outgoings and making cutbacks where your earnings cannot keep you in the black, Second jobs are hard work and can make you ill. Better not to spend so much.
3. Cut up your Credit Cards and phone contracts. You should ensure a debt reduction payment plan of at least 15% off your debt per year, and no increases. Appreciate the dangers of only paying-off the minimum amount on your credit cards. You could  find you are never able to repay.
5. Make a Plan for repaying your debts. Prioritise to make sure your mortgage or rent is paid first. Other vital payments are Income Tax and Council Tax - they both send the bailiffs to seize property.
6. Ensure the lowest interest rates.
7. Inform your creditors if you are in trouble.
8. Take Advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Plymouth Welfare Rights Unit, or UNISON Welfare.,. You don't have to be in dire trouble to get help.
    
Nightmare on Debt Street
Britain's economic growth is based on a vast mountain of debt, with millions living through a debt crisis. The average personal debt is now £10,000, not including mortgages. Millions are living in a debt crisis. The Citizens Advice Bureau had over one million new cases for debt advice last year. For millions of people with jobs it is a constant struggle to keep up debt repayments. For a growing number that struggle ends in failure. Life is unpredictable - you may become ill, lose a job, suffer a disability or a relationship break-up. The impact of debt can be horrific. About a quarter of CAB clients have mental health problems, suffering from stress or nervous breakdowns as a result of debt experiences. Credit companies hound people constantly and threaten with Bailiffs. There is no respite.

UNISON helps! Why not give a monthly donation of £1 to our We/fare Fund through your pay packet? Call 227687